by Danny Harvey | Director
So...this blog is late for one very simple reason... time. Everything to do with theatre has to do with time. First of all, there is never enough time. We don’t ever seem to have enough rehearsal time, time with the band, time with choreography or time in the theatre before we open... not even close to enough time. Over the past 5 years that the Rose Theatre has been open, we have become time ninjas. We work around the clock..quite literally... to get the sound, lights and set into place.

We separate our rehearsal time into Music, Choreography and Blocking/Staging, We usually start with music. It's important that everyone know their songs and harmonies before we layer dance over them, if there is a dance number that is handled by our Choreographer, they shape the song with style and dance moves designed to convey the mood and story. Then I, as director, handle the blocking or staging, telling the story through planned movements on the stage. Every cross, turn, inflection,and accent is carefully discussed and considered. We lay all of these elements out, listen to each others ideas and then we repeat everything until it's second nature.

Timing also plays an important role in the storyline of Cabaret. This show is set in 1929 – 1930 Germany.  This is considered in all aspects of design. For example costumes are mostly vintage. Many of the set pieces are antiques or reproductions built by our production design team. Props are authentic, to the tiniest detail. Our actors consider the time frame for how they move, interact, and present the customs of the day. Cabaret is a history lesson.  Don't let that scare you though, it's by far the hottest history lesson you’re ever going to have. I love the feeling of this piece, its about the world losing its innocence and naivety.

Then there is the realistic timing of getting this show going. As our patrons arrive usually a half hour or so before curtain and enter to watch our show, it would appear that everything is effortless as cast and crew present the spoils of our labour. This is an illusion... Behind those curtains and walls there is a whispered organized chaos... all helmed by a genius with a clip board and a stop watch. The stage manager, half deity and half mental case, is the invisible puppet master. Every light change, every set piece, every entrance, every microphone turned on or off are all called by the stage manger in perfect time. If you ever meet someone in your life and find out they are a stage manager, buy them a beer... they deserve it.

Most of all, we create this work for one very simple reason, we want our audience to have an incredible time. That really is what this is all about... Theatre is not really as glamorous as we all thought it would be, but there is no better feeling than knowing you have truly moved an audience. Our reward is applause and knowing you have had an amazing time... because of course timing is everything.